Film tax credit: there's still a chance

State House has approved incentives, still waiting on vote from Senate. (Source: MGN Online)

State Senate could vote on film incentive amendment before formally adjourning the short session. (Source: WECT)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -

There's still a chance. That's the word from one local lawmaker on the possibility of the General Assembly extending the current film tax credit that many say will save the industry in North Carolina.

Many people in Wilmington and across the state have been closely following film incentives as their future has been debated over the summer in Raleigh.

The state House passed an amendment, sponsored by New Hanover County Representative Ted Davis, that would have extended significant incentives for films produced in North Carolina.

That amendment to Senate Bill 763 is still sitting in the Senate, but Representative Frank Iler tells us it's not dead yet.

"Since we changed it, [the Senate has] to vote on it again and put the film incentives in there. So they have to take it up," Iller explained. "If they don't then it's dead for this session. However, we are reconvening on August 14 and we hope they are too, but we don't know."

Iler said the Senate has not completely adjourned for this short session, and that they could still come back to Raleigh and approve the film incentives. We will continue to keep you posted.